Campaign Shortfall. Help is Needed to Close the Gap and fund vital Delaware County programs in 2022
By Kim Williams—
Delaware County, IN – Heart of Indiana United Way is asking individuals and businesses throughout the community to help close the gap and overcome a projected $200,000 shortfall in this year’s campaign.
This year’s campaign goal of $2,000,000 represents the support needed in 2022 to fund vital basic needs programs and the organization’s work to help families and children overcome poverty.
“We need to raise approximately $200,000 yet in this campaign to continue providing support to a wide range of vital services,” said Jenni Marsh, Heart of Indiana United Way CEO. “The campaign funds essential programs including early learning and literacy programs, the THRIVE Network, utility and rent assistance, food supports, childcare, and more. It also provides the resources and structure for key volunteer programs like Read United and Day of Action.”
Many people and organizations rely on the support of Heart of Indiana United Way. The shortfall has real-life implications for individuals, families, and children throughout the community. “Regardless of whether you use United Way services, a lack of funding impacts the entire community,” said Karen Hemberger, Director of Impact of Heart of Indiana United Way.
Heart of Indiana United Way provides financial support each year to many organizations across the region. In addition, over the last two years Heart of Indiana United Way has distributed more than $1,070,000 in Covid Relief funding within Delaware County alone. A large portion of those funds were made available from a grant funded by Lilly Endowment and awarded by Indiana United Ways.
“The Covid Relief funds made an enormous difference in our community. Families were able to find help with food, rent, utilities, childcare and more when many were facing a loss of income,” said Marsh. “But now those one-time funds from the grant are expended, and we have neighbors that need help in the year ahead. We need the community’s financial support to continue to fund essential services in Delaware County.”
For local partner agencies like The Whitely Community Council, having United Way funds is vital to their ability to serve their clients. Ken Hudson, Executive Director of the Whitely Community Council, said “United Way funds are vital to this community and small organizations like the Whitely Community Council who are working close to the problem. In 2020 and 2021, funds from the United Way helped us serve over 7,600 individuals through the Whitely Food Pantry and our Utility/Bill Assistance Program. Simply put, they do a lot of good for us all.”
Persons wishing to contribute may direct their donations to Heart of Indiana United Way, P. O. Box 968, Muncie, IN 47308. Online contributions can be made at heartofindiana.org/donate or text UWGIVE to 91999 to donate by text. All contributions are tax-deductible.
About Heart of Indiana United Way
Heart of Indiana United Way was established in July of 2021 when two organizations, the United Way of Madison County (which also serves Fayette County) and the United Way of Delaware, Henry & Randolph Counties, joined forces to transform and improve more lives in Indiana. The Heart of Indiana United Way looks to improve the quality of life in our five targeted communities by engaging people and organizations to advance education, financial stability, and access to quality health care.
